Hornets Coach Monty Williams said Paul was getting used to the brace he'll probably use throughout the regular season. "We're just trying to stay on top of anything that could be nagging,'' Williams said. "It's such a long season. When a guy is coming off a surgery, you want to be as cautious as you can to keep him from having any setbacks.'' New Orleans Times Picayune

Coach Monty Williams said his team enters the regular season with no health concerns, even though Williams took steps in the exhibition season to rest starters Emeka Okafor and Chris Paul as often as he could.

Paul, who has worn a brace on his surgically repaired left knee for the last three days of practice, was not wearing the brace on Tuesday.